Irvine leads FBI list of safest cities

December 21, 2009 12:00:00 AM PST

IRVINE, Calif. --

The FBI released violent-crime statistics for cities with populations over 100,000 people, covering January to June 2009, and according to those numbers, the city of Irvine is the safest city in the country.Irvine has the lowest per-capita violent-crime rate in the nation. Violent crime includes homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

Irvine also experienced a reduction in violent crime compared to the same period last year.

The Irvine Police Department published the statistics in a news release. On it, Mayor Sukhee Kang was quoted as saying, "Public safety is a top city council priority for which there is no rest."

"We consider a safe community to be the cornerstone for everything that we accomplish in Irvine. This latest news is acknowledgement of a job well done, as well as an understanding that our job is never done," Kang added.

The city of Irvine credits its success to visionary planning, enlightened city leadership, leveraged police and private partnerships and an engaged and supportive community.